Posted on Apr 12, 2014
Shaved heads in basic training; is this mandatory? If it is, then why and why only for males?
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So I was in basic training land today to help with some medical stuff. I couldn't help but noticed all the shaved heads all over the place and then the females with 20 ft of hair. In an era where we are screaming equal treatment; is this equal?I am also wondering why does a new private have to get his head shaved in the first place? Why not just a haircut within Army Standards?
Have the lines between male and female been erased? Are they trying to be erased or are we picking and choosing which ones we want to erase? Why does a male soldier have no choice in keeping his hair but a female does? If you love Liberty you will vote below.
ADDED: Could this be considered a form of hazing with the crackdown on hazing since this is obviously not a requirement but more of a tradition? I'm not saying I think it is I'm just asking the question. If it's not required and it doesn't apply to everyone.
*****UPDATED******
Well, well, well what do we have here?
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/01/08/rtc-boot-camp-haircuts-navy/21439483/
Have the lines between male and female been erased? Are they trying to be erased or are we picking and choosing which ones we want to erase? Why does a male soldier have no choice in keeping his hair but a female does? If you love Liberty you will vote below.
ADDED: Could this be considered a form of hazing with the crackdown on hazing since this is obviously not a requirement but more of a tradition? I'm not saying I think it is I'm just asking the question. If it's not required and it doesn't apply to everyone.
*****UPDATED******
Well, well, well what do we have here?
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/01/08/rtc-boot-camp-haircuts-navy/21439483/
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 458
Just curious if the 48% that voted both are males. Also there would be a significant decline in females in the force if women were forced to shave their heads. A lot of the idea behind men having their heads shaved is so they do not require frequent hair cuts during basic training. Women obviously tuck their hair away.
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I'm not sure if makes should have their heads shaved but a good buzz cut should suffice, I joined back in 78 makes got a good buzz cut, short near bald, the females had theirs cut above the collar, once a young guy decided to shave his head, he got chewed out and close to being charged for doing it, he paid ultimately, his head swelled to the point he had to been by medical, didn't see him for several days, we were in Georgia, Ft Gordon and the days were hot and humid, the sun was blazing, I guess that the sun did a number on this guy's head, after he got back to barracks he was eventually discharged, never knew the circumstances but I believe it had something to do with his shaving his head, but I don't know if the regulations have changed since then, but that's my take on this
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Keep in mind that military regulations set guidelines according to what is the most common cultural in a set professional look. Remember that there was a time when females could not wear any nail polish that did not match their skin tone? Then it changed slightly, and then slightly again over time. As times change, and as the mainstream culture changes, so do military regulations. However, until mainstream culture shows women with shaved heads as often as it does women with any given length of hair, I do not see that changing. That being said, I have observed very few men of the usual recruitment age that have a clue how to groom their hair professionally unless someone has mentored them to do so. Whether a male has his head shaved, or merely cut to standard (plus he'd have to go for a haircut far more often to keep it within standards--meaning a bigger time crunch during basic training, he will still have to say goodbye to his former grooming habits along with his long locks of hair if that was the style he had prior to enlistment. Maybe a more appropriate thing would be whether or not the military is ready to accept a male hairstyle with a manbun so that the two genders would be treated less unequally in that area.
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Both male and female should get a buzzed hair cut when entering boot camp and after that keep a regulation hair cut through AIT.
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First of all your head is not shaved, that would require a razor resulting in a bald head. The reason for cutting the hair short is for hygienic reasons, mainly to ensure no lice infest a platoon. It is also the first step in transforming a civilian into a Marine, soldier, airman, or sailor.
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How about having the women recruits get a short, uniform haircut - about two inches long, all over?
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Head shaving in basic is not hazing..... me and some buddies busting into your room in the middle of the night is. At least that’s what I was reprimanded for at the time!
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I thought it was lice control and transition from long hair child to proud US military member. Plus les stuff to get 8n trouble for
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The only person in my basic training that had to have their head shaved, was this one dude who showed up with a bright orange mohawk. Everyone else got a buzz cut.
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Ask yourself, did they make women shave their heads when they allowed women to serve in the armed forces? Then why all of a sudden does this become an issue?
Just feels like we’re looking for a reason to be upset about the latest coed MOS and training standards. Lets not forget there was a time when women once they got through basic training were expected to only wear skirt uniforms with heels, no pants. Military standards for appearance has never been equal. To insist every aspect of regulations should be equal regardless of gender is just nitpicking.
Just feels like we’re looking for a reason to be upset about the latest coed MOS and training standards. Lets not forget there was a time when women once they got through basic training were expected to only wear skirt uniforms with heels, no pants. Military standards for appearance has never been equal. To insist every aspect of regulations should be equal regardless of gender is just nitpicking.
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The head shaving is technically a de-lousing measure and only still done as a throwback to the era where de-lousing was still regularly done.
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It’s moments like this that I absolutely hate being in todays army. Take a step back from the question you have presented to this group and ask yourself “Am I a pussy?” Because Christ sake man, did shaving your head for basic training hurt you in any way? Are you scared for life from it? Take some time and learn some Army history. This magical device that you sit around and thumb fuck all day will give you all the answers you need.
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The shaved head, to me, is a large part of the team-building experience and putting all recruits on the same level. As for females, I seem to remember when they were all trimmed into a basic neck length hairstyle that achieved the same ideas for them. The whole idea of being part of a basic training flight, platoon, squad or whatever is to perform as one...a shaved head contributes to that endeavour.
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I believe that if all these women who are crying for equal rights, they Should have their heads shaved also!
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Having served over 20 years in the Army I am tired of all the whining. Let's be real, the Army has become a bunch of cry babies crying about any and everything like a 2yr old. The Marines haven't changed anything since I can remember. Their slogan of The Few, The Proud, The Marines has been around since I could watch TV. So what they get their heads shaved, i did it and the men that served before me did it. Let's put our efforts on something that really matters like sexual harrassment, sexual assault, and toxic leadership to name a few. The Army has become more worried about what you wear when off duty and females wearing braids than the things that affect the soldier directly.
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The Romans first shaved heads & beards for standardizing troops & so in hand to hand combat hair could not be gripped by the enemy. That plus sanitation are good reasons to shave male heads. Females should have standard short cuts for ease of cleanliness and standardization. Hurrah!!!
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The shaving of the head makes it simple to keep hair within regulations as getting haircuts in basic is a massive effort involving marching everyone in the unit to the barber. Those cuts last longer.
Females must also keep their hair in 670-1 regulations during basic training there are different standards because there are two sexes. Females may weR their hair short or long but it must be confined to not interfere with training and mission readiness, and
requiree headgear.
Females must also keep their hair in 670-1 regulations during basic training there are different standards because there are two sexes. Females may weR their hair short or long but it must be confined to not interfere with training and mission readiness, and
requiree headgear.
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Rather than debating different grooming standards between male and female. Why not debate why the various branches have different standards for grooming. From observations over the years it would make more sense that there are common standards especially when members of a force are from different Branches. Army Navy Marines Air Force and Coast Guard.
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